Ranking The Bowls From Best To Worst

December 20, 2007

* Whatever happens, the bowl season won't come close to thrilling or shocking us the way the way the 2007 regular season did. Most bowls don't live up to expectations. Too many average teams and too many with better-than-average records will be on display in the next few weeks, but there are some gems. And there is no shortage of outstanding players involved. It's the main reason why the game we picked No. 1 features one of the most prolific passers in college football history. LSU-Ohio State may be the marquee matchup, but it ain't the best of the lot. Here's a look at the 32 bowl games and how Courant college football writer Desmond Conner ranks them from best to worst:

1. SUGAR

No. 10 Hawaii (12-0) vs. No. 4 Georgia (10-2)

Jan. 1, New Orleans 8:30 p.m., Ch. 61

Story line: No one on the mainland wants any part of the nation's only undefeated team, mostly because of quarterback Colt Brennan. Hawaii is the lone BCS buster and make no mistake coach June Jones is going to make sure he and his team make the most of the opportunity.

Bottom line: Take Hawaii and SEC tough-Georgia, which probably deserved better, and you've got the best of the postseason.

2. COTTON

No. 7 Missouri (11-2) vs. No. 25 Arkansas (8-4)

Jan. 1, Dallas 11:30 a.m., Ch. 61

Story line: Chase Daniel vs. Darren McFadden. Need we say more?

Bottom line: Two Heisman finalists will put on a show. Definitely must-see TV.

3. BCS CHAMPIONSHIP

No. 1 Ohio State (11-1) vs. No. 2 LSU (11-2)

Jan. 7, New Orleans 8 p.m., Ch. 61

Story line: LSU is the latest No. 2 team and you know the drill with those teams this season. Are the Buckeyes going to fool around, or become national champs?

Bottom line: Whoever loses is going to take heat for being in this game since there's controversy about who should be participating for all the marbles. Don't want to miss it.

4. FIESTA

No. 3 Oklahoma (11-2) vs. No. 11 West Virginia (10-2)

Jan. 2, Glendale, Ariz. 8 p.m., Ch. 61

Story line: No Rich Rodriguez on the sideline for West Virginia. The Mountaineers need to respond with a good performance but it would have been tough to beat the Sooners with him on the sideline anyway.

Bottom line: Oklahoma will bring the fire. If West Virginia brings the desire, it could turn out to be one of the better ones.

5. ROSE

No. 13 Illinois (9-3) vs. No. 6 USC (10-2)

Jan. 1, Pasadena, Calif. 4:30 p.m., Ch. 8

Story line: Illinois might have had a chance but the Fighting Illini are catching a hot Trojans team in its backyard.

Bottom line: Illinois is going to wish it never made the trip but the pageantry makes it worth watching.

6. GMAC

Bowling Green (8-4) vs. Tulsa (9-4)

Jan. 6, Mobile, Ala. 8 p.m., ESPN

Story line: If you want to see the ball tossed all over the yard you won't want to miss this one. Tulsa QB Paul Smith is a talent.

Bottom line: Final bowl before the most important one.

7. CAPITAL ONE

Michigan (8-4) vs. No. 9 Florida (9-3)

Jan. 1, Orlando, Fla. 1 p.m., Ch. 8

Story line: The Wolverines season could end the way it started - against a spread offense (Appalachian State) and with a loss.

Bottom line: This would be an awful way for Lloyd Carr to go out.

8. GATOR

Texas Tech (8-4) vs. No. 21 Virginia (9-3)

Jan. 1, Jacksonville, Fla. 1 p.m., Ch. 3

Story line: Pass-happy Graham Harrell will try to hold his ground against Cavaliers defensive end Chris Long, Howie's son.

Bottom line: This has the potential to be one of the more lopsided matchups of the bowl season and it will be if Long is contained.

9. ORANGE

No. 5 Virginia Tech (11-2) vs. No. 8 Kansas (11-1)

Jan. 3, Miami 8 p.m., Ch. 61

Story line: Kansas is playing in its first bowl since 1969, but when the game begins the Jayhawks could be well on their way to waking up from their dream season.

Bottom line: If you give Virginia Tech this much time to prepare, chances are it's not going to be good for the opposition. Frank Beamer is a master of paying attention to detail.

10. HAWAII

No. 24 Boise State (10-2) vs. East Carolina (7-5)

Sunday, Honolulu 8 p.m., ESPN

Story line: Boise State lost its regular season finale at Hawaii, knocking the Broncos down to this game.

Bottom line: Should be one of the better bowls though the Broncos deserved better.

11. POINSETTIA

Utah (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4)

Today, San Diego 9 p.m., ESPN

Story line: The Midshipmen will be playing under new coach Ken Niumatalolo (Paul Johnson went to Georgia Tech) and all the pieces are still in place for an offense that has scored more than 40 points five times. But they face a team that has won seven of its last eight.

Bottom line: Should be a pretty good game. Utah is a Mountain West power and watching the option run to perfection is always fun to watch.

12. OUTBACK

No. 18 Wisconsin (9-3) vs. No. 16 Tennessee (9-4)

Jan. 1, Tampa, Fla. 11 a.m., ESPN

Story line: The Vols are looking for revenge against the Big Ten after they were upset by Penn State in this game a year ago. UT is certainly equipped to do it, too, especially against the unpredictable Badgers.

Bottom line: A chance to see why the Volunteers underachieved this season.